• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Amy Hoogervorst

Integrative Health and Wellness Coach

  • WHAT IS HEALTH COACHING?
  • ABOUT AMY
  • SERVICES
  • BLOG
    • FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY
    • MIND-BODY CONNECTION
    • MOVEMENT, EXERCISE AND REST
    • NUTRITION
    • PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
    • RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION
  • GET STARTED
    • SCHEDULE A FREE CALL
    • ACCESS FREE RESOURCES
    • VIEW ARCHIVED VIDEOS

Jul 8, 2016
MIND-BODY CONNECTION

Thoughts on Social Media, Soul Care, and Silence

I almost quit Facebook this week.

I was ready to disappear, with no warning to friends or family, those who “like” my professional page, the women in my “Faith and Sweat” Facebook group, or any of my business associates who communicate through a network of Facebook groups.

The political vitriol, the snarky and hateful comments responding to news accounts, the agendas, the noise – I was done with it all.

I closed the computer and put down the smartphone. I shifted into extreme self-care mode, which meant intentionally focusing only on what brings me joy.

I sat in silence. I got my hands dirty working in the yard. I listened to a couple of podcasts that inspired and redirected my energy. I focused on a project that needed attention and didn’t involve a computer. I read. I prayed. I picked up the phone, connecting in real time with real people. I ate a healthy lunch. I sat in silence.

We must develop some skill around this very thing, self-care, if we are going to survive the days and weeks ahead with our hearts and minds intact.

What brings you joy? What renews you? What feeds your soul?

This is not a call to bury our heads in the sand and ignore the suffering of the world. It’s not a call to give up all social media, cable TV and talk radio. I believe we must inform ourselves, and then we must be willing to walk away when necessary. And more often that means walking away and creating space even sooner than we think we should.

To turn off the TV.

To drive home without listening to the radio.

To fast from social media or perhaps unfollow a few friends.

To think.

 

To pray.

To ask, what is the change that WE can bring about in the world, for good?

To sit in silence.

And then, when we’ve restored our souls, to re-engage in the world – in person and perhaps online – with a fresh voice and new spirit.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.”

— Psalm 51:10

What’s your relationship like with social media? Does it consume more of your life than you’d like? If so, today, what about scheduling a time with yourself to intentionally fast from it? Can you do it for a few hours, a day, or even a weekend, if you think it’s a problem for you too? Share here your thoughts and experiences in the comments below or in our “Faith and Sweat” community.

Welcome! If you’re new here and don’t want to miss a thing, be sure to CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE to the Faith & Sweat blog updates. Thanks for visiting!

Tweet
Share
Pin

Don’t Miss out

Join our newsletter to get all the latest!

Previous Post: « Faith and Sweat: Healing After Domestic Violence
Next Post: And Two Shall Become One: Thoughts on Marriage and Faith »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Meredith Dangel says

    July 8, 2016 at 2:31 pm

    You know my story and my new approach. It’s been a blessing to me. I’m glad you took care of yourself this week.

Primary Sidebar

MEET AMY

Hi! I'm Amy Hoogervorst, a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, integrative health coach, and creative entrepreneur offering grace and space for a healthier you. Read More…

Latest on the Blog

Coaching is a partnership between a trained, professional coach and a client who wants or needs to reach particular goals or boost their personal and professional potential. Image is of two people shaking hands in partnership

People typically have questions about health coaching, whenever I introduce myself as a coach. And often, depending on the time someone has to talk, the questions start out general and then move to the specific and personal. Perhaps you have a few questions yourself. So today, let’s take a look at some of these frequently […]

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Latest on Instagram

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefo "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." - Aristotle

#mondaymotivation #habits #excellence #healthyhabits #quotes #consistency #doyourbest #dontworryabouttherest #backontrack #graceandspaceforahealthieryou #integrativehealthcoach
How have you been wanting to challenge yourself ph How have you been wanting to challenge yourself physically? 

Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.

But it's important to build in rest days, too. Taking regular breaks allows your body to recover and repair. Otherwise, you may risk overtraining and injury, or burnout. Rest days could mean chilling on the sofa or engaging in more active rest - taking a gentle walk, foam rolling, or practicing yoga.

What's your schedule of exercise, physical activity, and rest look like this week? What positive effects will that have in other areas of your life?

#letsmove #nctraildays2022 #run #walk #hike #rest #healthyaging #runningofthebulls8k #weekend #graceandspaceforahealthieryou #physicalactivity #letsgo #integrativehealthcoach
These English peas were so good, they're getting t These English peas were so good, they're getting their own post. 

First, shelling them took me back more than a few years to when I would shell butter beans and black-eyed peas alongside my grandmother and look forward to our supper together. 💚 We all have memories and associations attached to different foods. What are some of yours? How do they show up in the choices you make around eating?

Second, these peas were delicious and simple, boiled for one minute and seasoned with real butter and salt. What a gift! It's garden season, y'all. What are you most looking forward to preparing for yourself this summer?

#gardentreasures #eatyourveggies #communitysupportedagriculture #nourish #nutrition #connections #peasinapod #integrativehealthcoach #graceandspaceforahealthieryou #shellingpeas #eattherainbow
A tiny slice of May, worth a pause, before we rush A tiny slice of May, worth a pause, before we rush ahead to June. What's something you want to remember and take with you from May? What's something you want to do differently in June? What will it take to start?

#graceandspaceforahealthieryou #pause #reflect #celebrate #beginagain #nature #nurture #nurtureyourself #letsmove #letseat #letssleep #letsrelax #letsdothis #springinnorthcarolina #integrativehealthcoach
Follow on Instagram

Tags

accountability anxiety best self books challenge choices coaching dreams exercise faith faith and sweat fitness friends goals habits health health coaching healthy eating healthy food healthy lifestyle holidays inflammation memories mindful mindfulness mindset movement nutrition perseverance personal growth PhotoOrganize Me photos recipes resources rest self-care sleep social media stewardship stories stress sugar wellness what i learned Youngevity
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • DISCLOSURES
  • CONTACT
© 2022 Amy Hoogervorst - All Rights Reserved

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Amy Hoogervorst
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.